The Mumbai Indians’ (MI) camp is renowned for tre🉐ating its associates more like a family member. They have had some of the biggest names in world cricket serving their camp, who continue to be an integ🍸ral part of their large unit.
Legends such as Sachin✱ Tendulkar and Ricky Ponting have donned the ꦉjersey as a player, captain and also mentorship roles within the MI setup.
It becomes easier for budding cricketers to nurture their talent and progress to the higher l♋evel🤪 in the sport in the presence of such legends of the game.
India’s marquee all-rounder, Hardik Pandya, was a discovery of t❀he Mukesh Ambani-owned franchise, back in 2015.
During a recent interaction, Pandya hailed the former MI coach, ಞPonting, for taking care of him the most and also tagged their relationship as that of a father 🌱and son.
“Ricky Ponting was someone who looked after me the best. He looked a📖fter me like a child. I used to feel like he was my father figurඣe there,” Pandya told Harsha Bhogle during a chat with Cricbuzz.
“Ricky taught me so many things, he taught me si🦄tuations, he taught me mindset, how strong you shoไuld be,” added the swashbuckling Baroda batsman.
“As a new boy in 2015, I used to sit⛎ next to the hoardings. Ricky used to sit down with me and speak about the game. (With all thes🃏e conversations) I started learning quickly,” Pandya opined.
Later during the conversation, Pandya opened up on the nature of India’s premier fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah, who also was𓃲 a discovery of the M��umbai-based franchise.
Both went on to become an indispensable part of the Indian๊ lineup in all formats. The two made international debuts in the 2015-2016 season during the Aus𒅌tralian tour.
Also, both Bumrah and Hardik, a🍬long with captain Rohit Sharma, were retained by MI, ahead of theꦐ mega-auctions of 2018.
“Jassi (Bumrah) is a very different character. He’s caꦆlm, but he’s someone who likes to be left alone. If he has to talk to someone then he’ll initiate the conversation,” the 26-year old said.
“I can never be like him even if 𝄹I try. He’s🧔 knowledgeable, well-spoken, thinking 20 times before speaking. But he’s someone who I enjoy being with. We have got success together and have genuinely shared success,” concluded Pandya.
